Youth Tour

What is the Government-in-Action Youth Tour?

Every June, as many as 1,800 high school students from across the country spend a week in the nation's capital as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The students are sponsored by electric cooperatives – cooperatives that are committed to educating America's rural youth about America and the role electric cooperatives play in developing strong rural communities.

Participating in the Youth Tour is an awesome way to learn about this great nation, develop leadership skills, gain a better understanding of electric cooperatives, and make friendships that will last beyond the week!

West Central Electric will once again sponsor two high school juniors on an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC. Each June over 1,800 high school juniors and seniors travel to Washington, DC to participate in the Rural Electric Youth Tour. During the week they learn about Washington, DC, government, cooperative philosophy and rural electrification. The students are selected and sponsored by their local rural electric cooperatives. The South Dakota Rural Electric Association (SDREA) coordinates arrangements for the South Dakota students.

Some of the sites that will be toured are: The Lincoln Memorial, National Cathedral, The White House, Air and Space Museum, Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, Ford’s Theater, The Kennedy Center, the Metro, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, The Smithsonian, Iwo Jima Statue, National Archives, U.S. Supreme Court, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Students will participate in a breakfast briefing with the South Dakota Congressional Delegation.

Who Is Eligible?

All area high school juniors whose parents or guardians are members of West Central Electric.

What Does It Cost?

West Central Electric, along with the other local electric cooperatives that participate in the weeklong event, funds the tour. The funding for the tour provides for each participant’s transportation, room and board, entertainment and sightseeing events. Students are required to provide their own personal spending money (snacks and souvenirs).

When Is It Held?

The weeklong trip will be held June 2019. Participants will meet for an orientation meeting on June 13th in Sioux Falls. The group will fly to DC on Friday, June 14th, and return to South Dakota on Thursday, June 20th. A commercial bus will be used for transportation while in DC.

How Do I Qualify?

Each entrant must submit an essay, not to exceed 500 words, on the following topic: “If chosen as a Youth Tour delegate you will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to experience and learn about America’s rich history. What moment in American history do you wish you had been a part of and what would you have contributed?” All essays must be typed and include a cover sheet which states the title of the essay, the entrant’s name and address, name of parent or guardian and the name of your school.

Information may be picked up from your local school guidance counselor or from West Central Electric Cooperative, PO Box 17, Murdo SD 57559. All essays must be received by West Central Electric on or before February 15th, 2019.

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Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives is a national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states that provides resources and leverages partnerships to help member cooperatives and their employees better engage and serve their members. By working together, Touchstone Energy cooperatives stand as a source of power and information to their 32 million member-owners every day.